Rear end advice

[B2k4E]

Recently purchased my first Camaro, a 1986 Z28 with the engine converted over to a 350 TPI over to a 383 TPI. Rear end is shaking and once when put into drive jumped foward. My father and I seem to think it's the pinion gear bearing going out. So my question is would it be cheaper to take the rear end out of a 1984 Berlinetta Camaro I have in my yard, (Real project or parts car, doesnt run, hasn't ran since sometime before 2003 or 4, and has a 305.) or disassemble the rear end and pay to put new gears in the existing rear end. Thats providing that we pay to have new gears and bearings packed, but replace them ourselves. So which option would be more cost effective?

My father also has a lot of expierience in performance vehicles, he's built a few and was a GM service manager in the 80's in austin. So he pretty much knows quite a bit about the cars.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[GRASSHOPPER]

if i were you i would take apart the rear that is in the car now, inspect and replace everything needed. this way you know what you have when you are done, a completly rebuilt unit and the bonus is you get to choose your gear ratio and if needed install a locking unit of your choice for your application
there it is....my 2 cents
but i`m sure there will be many replies to consider

[B2k4E]

Originally Posted by GRASSHOPPER

if i were you i would take apart the rear that is in the car now, inspect and replace everything needed. this way you know what you have when you are done, a completly rebuilt unit and the bonus is you get to choose your gear ratio and if needed install a locking unit of your choice for your application
there it is....my 2 cents
but i`m sure there will be many replies to consider

Kinda what we've decided I think. Prolly going to go with some 3.73 gears since it's going to be kind of a road/daily driver. The only thing that still keeps us considering the rear end off the berlinetta is if we open it and it is all kinds of screwed up. If it's just a small problem then we'll just replace the gears. Also found out that there's a small draw preventing it from starting without it acting like it has a dead battery (probably the radio because it acts like they directly wired it to the battery) and the fan relay (if that year used a relay) is probably out on it. Other than possibly a faulty temp. gauge those are the only things keeping it from driving on the road.

[GRASSHOPPER]

if you open it and it is totally screwed and you swap it out with your spare all you are out is the 20 mins to open and inspect to find that out. if you swap the other one into your car and it blows in the first few miles, it will cost you a tow job and all the parts to rebuild it again, which is cheaper in the long run? you are going to have the swapped out rear end in your mind everytime you take it out for a spin. what ever you decide, just hope it doesn`t lock up on you while doing 50+mph

mike